.

The bullet point history of Anna Marie Jarvis and how she fought to fulfill her mother’s dream.

.

• 1870- Julia Ward Howe, (activist, writer and poet) – writer of the famous Civil War song, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” first suggests the idea of  Mother’s Day.
• Julia Ward Howe writes the Mother’s Day Proclamation as a pacifist reaction to the carnage of the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War as an appeal to woman to rise up against war. She suggests that the second Sunday in June be celebrated as “Mother’s Peace Day”.
• 1873- 18 cities across America hold Mother’s Peace Day gatherings.
• Mrs. Ann Jarvis, of Grafton, West Virginia, a unifying figure during the Civil War, organizes Mother’s Day Work Clubs to improve sanitation and raise awareness for the poor health conditions in her community. (Mrs. Jarvis had lost eight children under the age of seven; she gave birth to a total of 12 children) The Mother’s Day Work Clubs also treat wounds, feed and clothe both Union and Confederate soldiers with neutrality.

• Ann Jarvis organizes Mother’s Friendship Day to unite the community after the war.  All soldiers are asked to attend with their mothers and lay down their guns.  After playing the songs, “Dixie” and the “Star Spangled Banner”, the band bursts into “Auld Lang Syne”- not a dry eye in the house.

• Mrs. Ann Jarvis dies in 1905, the second Sunday in May.
• Her daughter, Anna Marie Jarvis, remembers a day in Sunday school when she was 12 years old.  She recalls her mom, while teaching a class on woman in the Bible saying, “I hope and pray that someone will found a memorial Mother’s Day; there are many days for men but none for women”
• Anna, sinking into a pit of despair over the loss of her mother, begins her crusade to create a day in honor of her mom; using the large inheritance she has been left.

• Her vision is to create “Mother’s Day”, observed by attending church, writing letters to mothers, and spending time together as a family.

• Anna Marie Jarvis gives up her job. She begins to work full-time writing letters to politicians, clergy members, and influential business owners – anyone she thinks can help her get this dream off the ground.
• She enlists the help of the wealthy Philadelphia merchant, John Wanamaker to help her get this holiday on the map.

• On May 10^th, 1908, the first Mother’s Day celebration is held at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton where her mom taught Sunday School – Yay!

• Anna does not attend but sends 500 carnations (her mom’s favorite flower) to the celebration.

• Anna attends a ceremony the same day at Wanamaker Department store in Philadelphia – 15,000 people show up, capacity 5,000 – not enough seating.

• For years following, Grafton and Philadelphia fight over the honor of the first Mother’s Day celebration.
• Grafton wins- it is the official Home to the “International Mother’s Day Shrine”.
• In 1912, the Governor of West Virginia proclaims Mother’s Day, followed in 1913 by the Governor of Pennsylvania.

• 1914, President Woodrow Wilson- reportedly a longtime friend of Anna’s (small world), signs the Mother’s Day Proclamation – “… assigning Mother’s Day as a National Holiday- on the second Sunday in May, to commemorate the anniversary of Mrs. Anne Jarvis’s death.”

• Anna, instead of being ecstatic, becomes enraged and filled with anger as she begins to feel the holiday is being hijacked by florists and greeting card companies. She feel the holiday is rapidly losing its meaning. “This is not what I intended. I wanted a day of sentiment, not profit.”

• Anna demands a shrine be built in honor of her dear mom, hoping to draw attention back to the root of the holiday. The town agrees and honors Mrs. Anna Jarvis with a shrine. They begin to worry about Anna.

• Anna feels that this is her baby, her legal property.  She claims to have had it trademarked in 1912 – not true.
• Anna tries to claim the rights to the phrase “Mother’s Day” to prevent card makers from creating Mother’s Day cards and/or to force them to place her mom’s name on them. That does not happen.
• 1923: Anna files a lawsuit against New York Governor Al Smith, over a Mother’s Day celebration. When a court throws the suit out, she begins a public protest and is promptly arrested for disturbing the peace. This is not the only time she will be arrested.

• In 1930, a Mother’s Day stamp, with carnations and the famous Whistler’s Mother on it is created; Anna flips out and fights to keep the words, “Mother’s Day” off  the stamp – she succeeds.  You go girl!

• Anna finds herself going door to door for signatures for a petition to rescind Mother’s Day completely.
• Anna begins to fall apart, trying desperately to rein back control of the holiday that she had created in honor of her mother. The commercialization of the holiday and loss of her original intent continues to chip away at her sanity.  She regrets having pursued her mother’s dream.

• In 1944, Anna emotionally spent and penniless – having squandered all of her inheritance on legal fees to claim the rights to Mother’s Day, is placed in the Marshall Square Sanatorium, a mental asylum. Some say the only way Anna was able to afford to go on was that the local florists helped to support her in her old age.

• Anna died in 1948 at the age of 84

“A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment.” – Anna Marie Jarvis

Today say a special prayer for Anna Marie Jarvis; she gave this day everything she had.  Make it the day she meant it to be- filled with hugs and love and kisses- and maybe a carnation!

Probably not a card…

© 2020 Balance Your Life

All rights reserved. Reproduce with permission only

The post The Untold Story of Mother’s Day appeared first on Balance Your Life.

In addition, there are many myths and misconceptions that exist, creating a barrier for those who may otherwise be interested.  I thought I would share some thoughts, dispel some myths and attempt to set the record straight. Here we go:

Myth #1: I need to empty my mind of thoughts when I meditate.

Realistically speaking, we cannot empty our mind of thoughts. Our thoughts are usually at the steering wheel; they are driving our inner conversation. Have you ever found yourself deep in a good book when you realize that you have stopped paying attention? The words slide across your field of vision but you are not actually processing them in any context. Slowly, you realize that your thoughts have stepped in, distracting you from your point of focus.  

What do we do when this happens? We calmly flip back a few pages, determine where we lost our place, and we begin again.

Similarly, when our minds wander, we calmly bring our attention back to our point of focus. We do not create a void when we meditate. Instead, we decide where we will place our attention for a few minutes and we remain there. 

Additionally, there are forms of meditation where our thoughts actually become our point of focus.  We allow them to flow as we witness them without judgment or control.  We allow the mind to think and we gently witness the process.

Myth #2:  I can’t meditate, I have too many thoughts.

We all have too many thoughts; it is what our mind does- it thinks.  According to research by Dr. Fred Luskin of Stanford University, the average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day. It is believed that 90% of those thoughts are repetitive. Crazy, right? Most of our thoughts are about yesterday and tomorrow. We ruminate over what has happened, or what might happen. We are continually processing details, options and opinions and this consistent flow of data can be quite exhausting. Our mind is like a computer program, constantly replaying, reviewing, and storing data.

What meditation does is train us to give our thoughts less relevance.  As we develop this skill, we learn to coax our thoughts into submission; we gently tame them to whisper.  Once this chatter recedes, we begin to step aside from the details and witness our true essence. We create a space for present moment awareness. 

Myth #3:  I have so much to do; I don’t have the time.

When you first begin to meditate, you can start with 5 minutes a day.  Play with it and see how it feels. Allow yourself the time to step back and embrace the stillness.  You will notice that you feel more grounded and focused as you walk through the rest of your day.  As we allow our minds to settle, we begin to see our lives more clearly. We begin to experience our selves from a place of truth.

We make the time in our lives for what matters.  Taking a break from the busyness of your life is a gift you give yourself.

Myth #4:  Meditation is a Religious Practice.

While there are forms of meditation that are religiously and spiritually based, your practice depends on your choices. Let’s compare this to exercise; the reason we exercise varies from person to person.  Some people exercise to build muscle, some to develop stamina and some to look good in a bikini. If you are meditating to connect with your higher power, then yes, it is a religious practice.  For example, the word “Maranatha” is sometimes used as a Christian mantra; it means, “Come, Lord!”  In this form of meditation, you are sitting with a religious intent, just as you do when you pray.

However, in the chaotic pace of the 21^st century, the role meditation plays in our lives is quite different.  First and foremost, it is a vehicle of peace.  It is a way to slip off of the hamster wheel and reconnect with our inner harmony; the piece of us that is not defined by our thoughts.

You can meditate by focusing on your breath and silently repeating the words, “I am breathing in, I am breathing out”. The purpose of this approach is to disconnect for a few moments and send a signal to your physiology that all is well. You can also practice a walking meditation, where you focus your attention and senses on the sight, sounds, scents and the beauty of nature.

There are so many different forms of meditation, and the one you choose to practice should be based on your individual purpose and need.

Myth #5:  I unwind by listening to music, watching a movie, or reading a good book.   Isn’t it the same thing?

While these methods of relaxation may help you unwind, these activities will not elicit the same benefits that a solid meditation practice can offer.

Meditation is not just about what happens to you while you are meditating.  When you develop a strong and consistent practice, you recreate your relationship with your mind.  The positive results are now scientifically proven thanks to modern technology; it is now possible to actually measure the benefits of meditation.

Studies show that a meditation practice can actually change your brain!

Results of a Harvard and UMass study concluded that meditating for 27 minutes a day can actually create a shift in the gray matter density of your brain.  Areas of the brain responsible for self-relevance, mind-wandering, memory, empathy and emotional regulation showed an increase in the gray matter density. In addition, the amygdala which is responsible for fear, anxiety and worry actually got smaller.

Impressive, right? By meditating each day, you can create a shift in the way your brain reacts and responds to your world!

Myth #6: Meditation is only for stressed out people.

Yes, meditation does help to lower our stress hormones.  However, studies show that a solid practice can actually help lower blood pressure, boost our immune system and improve focus and clarity. In addition, it may also increase happiness, help manage depression and encourage better sleep.  Numerous studies over the past few years have shown that meditation can have a powerful impact on our health and well-being. As a result, medical professionals often prescribe meditation to assist healing and improve the quality of life of their patients. If you would like to read up on some of these studies, I have included links at the bottom of this article. 

Final Note:

We live in a society where busyness and multitasking are seen as a form of productivity. Often, we burn through our days, checking items off of our To-Do lists, as we hurry from one task to the other.   However, a sense of overwhelm often accompanies this daily pace. When we make the time to step aside from the doing and find the time to just be we begin to realize the benefits rather quickly.  As we learn to appreciate moments of stillness, we begin to gain clarity and a sense of control. We begin to experience our world from a place of peace.  Living a more mindful life allows us to slow down the speed of our days, and create moments of self-introspection and self-love. I believe we all need a little bit more of that in our lives.  

“With an eye made quiet by the power of harmony and the deep power of joy, we see into the life of things.”  William Wordsworth

Links to studies:

Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation

Brain Mechanisms Supporting Modulation of Pain by Mindfulness Meditation

The underlying anatomical correlates of long-term meditation: Larger hippocampal and frontal volumes of gray matter

Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: Evidence of brief mental training

The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Cognitive Processes and Affect in Patients with Past Depression

Three-year follow-up and clinical implications of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention in the treatment of anxiety disorders

© 2020 Balance Your Life
All right reserved- Reproduce with Permission only

The post 6 Myths and Facts About Meditation appeared first on Balance Your Life.

As this battle mode kicks in within seconds of a perceived threat, our brain swings into high gear, barking out orders in a frantic pace to lift us beyond our physical and psychological limitations. Not one cohesive thought pattern is necessary; it just happens.

During the stress response:

• Your clarity and focus increase; your vision improves
• Your breathing becomes faster and shallow, so you do not hyperventilate
• You begin to sweat, so you do not overheat
• Your heart beats faster and your blood pressure rises
• Long-term building projects are shut down; digestion, growth, reproduction, immunity, for example, are temporarily placed on hold
• Your blood thickens, begins to clot, in anticipation of an injury
• If your bladder is full, it may void. If anything is full, it may void
• Adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol and glucose are released in large surges
• All energy is diverted to your arms and legs – as much as 100x the power is flowing to your limbs
• You become a super hero; red cape and all

This is good stuff; it is magic. It heightens our ability to fight harder, think faster, and run like hell, if necessary, in order to survive. It gives us courage, strength, and clarity. It is an empowerment tool in the truest sense. This powerful survival tool is meant to last for a few minutes until the threat is over and we either survive or succumb.  Unfortunately, like so many other things, we have turned it into the enemy out of fear and lack of understanding. It is not the enemy; it is our ally. We just need to learn how to apply in a 21st century context.

One of the reasons for the shift from the “stress is the enemy model” to the “make stress your friend model” was born out of study that tracked approximately 30,000 adults over a period of eight years. The researchers asked them how much stress they had in their lives and if they perceived that stress as having a harmful impact. They then tracked these people through public health records and what they found was completely unexpected. The people that reported high levels of stress and viewed stress as harmful to their health had a 43% higher rate of premature death; not a surprise. Here is where it got interesting: the people that said they had high levels of stress in their lives but didn’t see it as a problem, had the lowest rates of premature death – it was even lower than the group that reported having no stress all.

Recent studies on stress theorize that it is not the actual stress-filled situations in our lives that create the problem.  Instead, it is our perception of stress that influences how this fight or flight response will manifest in our physiology and in our lives.  Understanding the relevance of “how you walk through the fire” is what turns stress from your worst enemy into your ally.

Years ago, there was a story about a woman that lifted a car off her daughter to pull her out, after the three-year-old became trapped underneath their car in the driveway. That is the power of fight or flight as it is meant to serve us.  It kicks in when we feel our life, or the life of a loved one, is in danger. It is there to help us face a challenge quickly and efficiently. This physiological dance begins as soon as a threat is registered by the brain, and it continues until the threat no longer exists. During the stress response, your brain places your body into battle model, a suit of armor so to speak. This is the glory of fight or flight being utilized to serve us and save us when we need to shift into a high-power mode.

You may often experience this response right before a big speaking engagement, a test, an interview, or an athletic competition; this is normal. Embrace it knowing that once you begin the process, you will feel it subside. It will give you the courage you need to step out of your comfort zone and deliver.

However, if you are stuck in traffic on your way to an important meeting, this response will kick in as well.  It is fight or flight in an emotional context.  You will more than likely notice your shoulders pulled up to your ears, hands gripping the steering wheel, and your jaw clenched, all part fight/flight being activated. This reaction will not lift you off the road and deliver you to your destination on time. This is a classic example of the form of stress that we should strive to understand and control. The bills piling up, a loved one that is ill, deadlines, demands at home and in the workplace; all stress-filled situations that cortisol, and thicker platelets will not help to resolve.  Unfortunately, it will not change the situation, it would be nice if it did but it does not. What it will do is change the way we are reacting to a negative experience in our lives that we could accept and walk through in a different way.

When we learn to understand and tame our stress response, we free ourselves from the 21st century cycle of abuse that we have accepted as the new norm.

The question is; how can we create the shift necessary to befriend this incredible ally? We do this by ceasing to view stress as the enemy; an enemy that we need to run from in order to survive. Acknowledging that we are allowing stress to take control of the steering wheel when it should be sitting in the back seat, allows us to take the first step toward taming this response. Once we identify the patterns of stress in our lives, we can begin to develop a more mindful approach that will enable us to understand, utilize and properly walk through negative experiences as they unfold.

Understanding the relevance of “how you walk through the fire” is what turns stress from your worst enemy, into your ally. The whole process is transformed when we identify our triggers; when we take control of the process and acknowledge that we have choices. Only then can we begin to reprogram our brain to use this tool in the way it was designed: to make us the most powerful, fearless version of ourselves.

Stress is not defined by the situations in our life.  

It is how we approach the situations in our life.  

And that approach is something that we can change. 

What matters most is how well we walk through the fire.

Notes:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22201278

http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2011-30116-001

*

© 2020 Balance Your Life

All right reserved- Reproduce with Permission only

The post Understanding and Taming the Stress in Your Life appeared first on Balance Your Life.

Sitting up or laying down, whichever is most comfortable for you.

Close your eyes softly. 

Allow yourself  the space to step away from the story and feed your heart a moment of peace.

Sending love & courage, Judy

Visit the BYL Facebook page for more Guided Meditations.

The post Breath Awareness Guided Meditation appeared first on Balance Your Life.

During this time of crisis, I will be sharing Guided Meditations on our BYL Facebook page.

Join us and allow yourself the space to let go, and simply be.

Even if only for a few moments.

Be Safe and we will all gather together soon.

Please visit our Facebook page for weekly guided meditations. 

The post Guided Meditations appeared first on Balance Your Life.

You should not have to pay thousands of dollars to learn how to develop a mindfulness practice.

After beginning a meditation practice of my own, many years ago, I quickly realized that the missing piece in our lives is, quite often, the missing peace in our lives.

As a Chopra Center Certified Master Educator, with years of experience, I will teach you all you need to know to begin a consistent practice of your own.

Significant studies show that a solid mindfulness practice can change the way your mind responds to stress, anxiety and fear by creating a shift in the architecture of your brain.

Take the first step and take hold of your life. Incorporating a mindful approach to your days cultivates the ability to walk through your life in a place of focus and clarity.

“It is fascinating to see the brain’s plasticity and that, by practicing meditation, we can play an active role in changing the brain and can increase our well-being and quality of life”, Britta Hölzel, on Harvard-led eight-week mindfulness meditation study.

Stress is not what is happening in your life, it is your reaction to what is happening. That reaction is something you can change.

Practicing mindfulness on a daily basis can help:

• Enhance memory, clarity & focus
• Sharpen your competitive edge
• Reduce anxiety & create inner peace
• Increase self-awareness
• Lower your blood pressure
• Manage stress
• Control pain
• Release self-judgment
• Improve your sleep patterns
• Improve your overall health

In this program you will:

• Understand what the term “mindfulness” means & how it can change your life
• Learn how and why meditation works
• Explore simple breath techniques to help calm the mind and body
• Practice different forms of meditation to determine what works best for you
• Implement simple and sustainable steps to create balance and peace in your life

Please email Judy@BalanceYourLife.com to schedule before purchasing.

The post 21st Century Mindfulness ~ Meditation & Mindful Lifestyle Training appeared first on Balance Your Life.

Spend more time alone
Embrace silence
Speak kindly to yourself, because you are listening

Steer clear of the people that do not support you.
Speak your mind when it matters, be silent when is does not.
Listen more; we are all longing to be heard

Release judgment of others but more importantly of yourself.
Know you are imperfect; we are all imperfect;
Embrace the imperfections

Change what is weakening you; accept what you cannot change.
Worry when you are looking for an answer,
Release it when there is nowhere left to go

Believe that you can, even when you believe you cannot.
Create a pattern interrupt when you are caught in a spiral of doubt.
Fight for yourself

Your suffering is part of your fabric but it does not own you.
Accept your story, acknowledge your pain.
And then use it to find your strength

Know how you want to feel;
learn how to create those feelings in your life.
Protect your heart from pain that you do not own

Set your intentions every day as soon as you open your eyes.
Keep your faith larger than your fears

.

..

© 2020 Balance Your Life

All right reserved- Reproduce with Permission only

The post Ode for a New Decade appeared first on Balance Your Life.

The word pratyahara is composed of two Sanskrit words, prati and ahara.  Ahara means “food” or “anything we take into ourselves from the outside”; prati means away or against. Therefore, pratyahara can be translated to mean, “the removal or withdrawal from anything that we are placing inside of us” and is translated as “withdrawing the senses (tanmatras) away from external influences”.

“Withdrawing the senses, mind and consciousness from contact with external objects, and drawing the senses inwards towards the seer, is pratyahara.”  (Sutra 2.54)

The Yoga Sutras were compiled around 322-185 B.C.E and were written as guidelines to help us live a more meaningful and balanced life. We have been born into a world where we are consistently inundated with frivolous distractions that pervade every moment of our lives. It is up to us to step in, grab onto the steering wheel and reclaim control over the pace and substance of our lives.

Pratyahara is the antidote for the crazy, busy pace of our lives; it offers us the opportunity to disconnect from all the toxic impressions we are bombarded with in every moment. It suggests that we step back and put ourselves on a stimulation diet, in order simplify and control what we allow into our mind-field.

The bottom line is that at some level we all need to occasionally subtract ourselves from all the busy-ness and learn to control the sensory input that we allow to define our walk through life.  “Withdrawing away from external influences” in a modern-day approach can simply mean turning off the television and computer or going for a walk in nature, without your cell phone.  In its truest sense, it means doing one thing at a time and being present while you do it.  

Human Being or Human Do-ing?

For many of us, our life is in a constant state of over-stimulation.  Often, we hear the word multi-tasking mentioned as a badge of honor; something that grants us a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.  We have our “To Do” lists on our phones, computers and refrigerators and they are long lists.  These constant reminders of “what we should be doing”, create a sense of urgency as we move through our day. Our relaxation in the evening may be a bit of television, while folding laundry and straightening up the house. Smartphones close by so we can check in occasionally on social media.

We live at a frantic pace, on this spinning merry-go–round, all the while promising ourselves that something has to give; something must change.  I recently heard someone say, that we are no longer Human Beings, we are Human Doings; I like that because although it sounds silly, it’s true.

We are always dwelling on yesterday, worrying about tomorrow and continuously skipping right past the very moments that define our lives.  Our ability to exist in this state has become the new norm; living in a hypnotizing cacophony that we have learned to accept and embrace.  We have become somewhat complacent, and yet we often fantasize about what it would be like to take a step back and slow the down the pace of our lives.

What We Feed Ourselves Each Day

The word food or ahara, in this context, doesn’t just mean the “food” we ingest and feed into our digestive system. It also means all that we are feeding ourselves as we walk through life.  This includes our relationships, the way we view ourselves, as well as our perception of how others view us- which is often either irrelevant or distorted.

How we see life, and the impressions we formulate based on our interpretations, are all sources of “food”. The way in which we react rather than respond to our problems, how we allow others words to affect us, and mostly how we speak to ourselves, can weaken us if we allow it to. By not permitting negative interpretations to permeate of lives as absolute truth, we begin to alter the way we process our life.

The goal is to stop allowing the mind to drag us through the sludge of endless rumination, self-judgment and negativity. As you walk through your day, be mindful of what you are “feeding yourself”. Be kind to yourself ~ Be kind to others.  Feed yourself words of love, appreciation and acceptance; you deserve it. 

Softening the Senses 

Our senses monopolize our energy as we are continuously fed information that must be interpreted and categorized. Have you ever closed your eyes in order to truly absorb an emotion or experience? We close our eyes when we pray, when we meditate, when we kiss.  We close our eyes when we are trying to focus, or hear the words to our favorite song or remember a detail or past experience. How often have you closed your eyes while tasting something delicious to appreciate the flavor?

The simple act of pulling the blinds closed, opens our mind and sharpens the other senses. When we temporarily subtract our awareness from the external distraction, what remains is a sense of clarity and focus. This allows us to turn inward and experience the power and sweetness of a moment without any internal or external interference. If allowed to do so, our mind will drag us through life convincing us that all that is relevant is what we perceive in the external world.  There is a piece of us that is waiting to experience life in a less complicated and harmonious way. One that will allow us to walk through our days more softly.

When we practice pratyahara, we steal ourselves away from the relentless over-stimulation of our social conditioning.

Learning to Disconnect and Listen

Take the time to unplug. Choose one day a week and minimize the time you spend with your phone in your hand. Avoid unnecessary communication. Don’t speak unless you are spoken to and listen more than you speak. Don’t call or text unless you must; disconnect as much as possible.  Explore the art of witnessing your day unfold without any interference. Choosing to disengage from constant stimulation and interaction allows us to step into a state of glorious present-moment awareness.

Follow Your Breath

Meditating and meeting yourself in a place of stillness will also offer you a space to detach and connect.  The simple act of closing your eyes and following your breath will effortlessly offer you the opportunity to step away from the details.  Pranayama, or breath awareness trains our mind to momentarily sever our contact with the thoughts that are flowing, and the events that are unfolding. As we consciously follow the rhythm of our life force, we are guided into a place of harmony and peace.  Sit comfortably, softly close your eyes and begin thinking the words, I am breathing in, I am breathing out as you witness the flow.

Ground Yourself in Nature

Stepping outside and connecting with each sense individually can deliver a soothing effect on the nervous system. Find a comfortable spot, close your eyes and ask yourself, “What do I hear?” and then just listen. Engage your sense of touch and ask yourself, “What do I feel?” Perhaps a soft breeze moving across your face, or the warmth of the sun touching your skin. Then ask, “What do I smell?” Fresh cut grass, morning dew, the scent of impending rainfall. Finally, open your eyes and ask yourself, “What do I see?” Witness the world around you with the innocence of a child.

Begin Your Day in a Place of Simplicity

The single most powerful gift you can give yourself is to voluntarily shut out the distractions that continually pervade the pace of your life. This is especially powerful first thing in the morning.  When you wake up, don’t reach for your phone. Instead, close your eyes, place your hand on your heart and ask yourself, “What am I grateful for?”  Linger there for a moment. The world can wait.

Give yourself an hour or more before you check your emails, scroll Facebook, or send your first text or tweet.  Allow yourself to slip into your day in a place of stillness and peace.

How we step into our day sets the pace of our life. Begin in a place of gratitude and calm and then carry that into your day. Never allow your morning to be hectic. Even if it means getting up a bit earlier. Eat sitting down, in silence. Create a sense of calm control.

Look for opportunities in your day where you can experience moments of simplicity and self-awareness. Create your peace.

One step at a time, one day at a time, one moment at a time.  

Take it back.  Own your day.  Own your life.

You need not leave your room,

Remain sitting at your table and listen

You need not even listen, simply wait; you need not even wait

just learn to be quiet, and still, and solitary.

The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked.

It has no choice; it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.  ~ Kafka

The post Pratyahara~ The Art of Slow in a World of Busy appeared first on Balance Your Life.

Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

As I began to love myself, I understood how much it can offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me.

Today I call it “RESPECT”.

As I began to love myself, I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So, I could be calm.

Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.

As I began to love myself, I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.

Today I call it “MATURITY”.

As I began to love myself, I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.

Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.

As I began to love myself, I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first, I called this attitude a healthy egoism.

Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.

As I began to love myself, I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time.

Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.

As I began to love myself, I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening.

Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.

As I began to love myself, I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick.   But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally.

Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born.

Today I know “THAT IS LIFE”!

Read by Charlie Chaplin on his 70th birthday, written by Kim McMillen

The post As I Began to Love Myself appeared first on Balance Your Life.

We often find ourselves burning through our days, hurrying from one task to the next.  The pace of our lives can be both physically and emotionally exhausting.  We are always in the running and doing.  In the chaotic pace of our lives, we rarely take the time to simply “be”.

First and foremost, the goal of our gathering is always to simply step aside from the busyness of our lives for one hour. However, the deeper purpose is to allow ourselves the time to connect with our lives from a place of stillness, non-judgment and self-acceptance.

There is beauty in taking the time to gather together as a community to simply embrace peace and stillness.

Is it true that meditation helps reduce stress?

Yes! Studies show that a consistent practice can help you walk through the stress-filled moments of your life with greater ease. A study out of Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital showed a decrease in the gray matter density of your amygdala, the area of the brain responsible for anxiety, fear and stress. It also showed an increase in the areas of the brain responsible for memory, emotional regulation and self-relevance.

You can read the interview regarding the study with Dr. Sara Lazar here: Harvard neuroscientist: Meditation not only reduces stress, here’s how it changes your brain.

Is meditation hard? I’m not sure I will be able to do it?

It is in our nature to be still and turn inward.  However, as modern humans, we live very complicated lives, which makes it difficult to disconnect from the constant distractions and let it all go.  Most people find it easier to meditate in a group.  It is very important to have a good teacher.  Here is a quote from the Dr. Sara Lazar, Neuroscientist at Harvard, in the interview referenced previously, “The most important thing, if you’re going to try it, is to find a good teacher. Because it’s simple, but it’s also complex. You have to understand what’s going on in your mind. A good teacher is priceless.”

As a trained meditation coach and Chopra Center Certified Master Educator, I will help you explore the art of meditation and mindfulness with grace and ease.

 I don’t think I can meditate for a full hour. 

This is a common concern of those considering attending the class. We do not actually meditate for 60 minutes.  As this is a guided meditation and mindfulness class, we usually begin with brief discussion about the foundation of our practice. We then weave this into our practice once we begin.  The meditation begins 5 minutes after scheduled time with breath awareness to still the mind.  We then experience different forms of meditation, moving gracefully from one to the next.

I use Tibetan singing bowls throughout the meditation to help create a soothing atmosphere and keep us grounded. The meditation ends approximately 5-10 minutes early to allow time to have a conversation on our experiences or to connect with others in the group. You can also make yourself a cup of tea in a to-go cup to bring with you when you leave.

My mind is so crazy.  I have too many thoughts; I don’t think I can meditate!

Studies show that the average person has 60,000-80,000 thoughts a day. Unbelievable, right? Most of those thoughts are repetitive.  Our minds continually bring us into the past and future – what has happened and what might happen.  It just keeps rolling like an endless soundtrack.

As we sit and embrace silence, we learn techniques to tame the endless flow of thoughts by learning to slip away for a few moments at a time.  When we mediate, we do not to stop our thoughts from coming.

Instead, we create a space where for a few moments, the chatter takes a back seat as we place our focus elsewhere.  A diversion, so to speak, that permits us to take control and step aside from the ongoing inner conversation.

I noticed that you teach the Chopra Center’s Primordial Sound Meditation, is that what we will be learning at this weekly class?

The Primordial Sound Meditation program is a separate program and is offered a few times a year in four weekly sessions or as a weekend workshop.  This is the Chopra Center’s Signature Meditation program, where you receive your personalized mantra, based on your date, time and place of birth.  It is a beautiful program when you are ready to take your practice to the next level.  Visit the Judy’s Programs page   and view -“The Chopra Center’s Primordial Sound Meditation Program in New Jersey” for more details or feel free contact me if you are interested. The next Primordial Sound Meditation Mini-Retreat will be on January 27, 2019  – 9:30-2:30. Click here for information and to register.

Will I have to sit on the floor?

We have plenty of chairs, floor seating/backjacks and warm fuzzy blankets for your comfort.

What time should I arrive?

With respect for the circle, we close the door at 5 minutes after the scheduled start time.  This was a very hard decision for me to make.  However, it is necessary in order to begin on time and give everyone the experience that they deserve.  Feel free to arrive early; I am there 30 minutes prior to each class! Arrive early, settle in and have a cup of tea.

Where are you located?

The classes are held at my office in the Morganville/Marlboro area in Morganville Square.  The address is 479 RT-79 ~ Suite 5A ~ between Lloyd & Tennent Road in Morganville. You will find us in the front of the mall. Look for the blue Allstate sign, you will see the Balance Your Life sign beneath it. We are located in the alcove. There is another entrance on the side of mall at V+Co. Consulting, Suite A5.

Is there a bathroom?

Yes, we have a bathroom right in the office for your convenience.

Do I have to register? What is the cost for each class?

It is requested that you register: walk-in’s are welcome but space is limited and only those that have registered are guaranteed a space. Visit The Events Page for the monthly class schedule. You will have the choice to pay online or at the door. You do not have to pay when you RSVP. Class is $10.00 per person. On the event page, you will scroll down until you see RSVP- you will enter the number of tickets, then your name and email and hit RSVP.  You will receive a confirmation in your email shortly thereafter.  If you do not receive an email confirming your registration, email judy@balanceyourlife.com.

Classes will meet in January on Wednesday at 9:00am & 6:30pm.

If for any reason, you prefer not to deal with the online registration, you can email me and I will register you personally.  Registration is requested in order to set the room up properly and to ensure that there is a seat for everyone.  Visit the Event page for class dates and times each week.

I hope this answers any questions you may have about our Meditation & Mindfulness Circle. If you have any additional questions, please contact judy@balanceyourlife.com.  I will respond within 48 hours.

Disclaimer:  Meditation does not take the place of proper medical care.  It is recommended that you see a licensed physician or health care professional for any physical or psychological ailment you may have.

 © 2019 Balance Your Life

All right reserved- Reproduce with Permission only

The post Your Questions Answered About Our Meditation & Mindfulness Circle appeared first on Balance Your Life.